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Times are a changin’. Skincare isn’t just for the ladies these days.
Modern men have begun taking skin care seriously to the point that they’ll cleanse, moisturize, and exfoliate daily. Despite this, there are cases where a few impurities remain, no matter how effective your cleansers are.
Adding face toners as part of your grooming sessions helps remove traces of dirt and excess oil that your general care products missed.
They can also protect your skin’s natural moisture barrier and keep it hydrated.
I looked for the best toners for men to use to maintain overall skin health, whether you have oily, dry—or both—skin. Keep reading to know more.
Key Takeaways
In unraveling the best toners for men, I analyzed and read through tons of brands, Amazon listings, and customer reviews. I chose my top six based on the products’ size, ingredients, and the skin type they’ll match with.
My best overall recommendation is the THAYERS Alcohol-free, Hydrating Hazel Facial Toner because of its all-natural, chemical-free ingredients. It’s followed by the Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Gentle Daily Fragrance-Free Face Toner, which keeps your skin’s natural moisture and comes at an affordable price.
Why it’s great: This is the number 1 bestseller on Amazon for a reason. The THAYERS Facial Toner soothes, tones, hydrates, and balances the pH level of your skin without the harmful, irritating side effects of alcohol. It reduces the appearance of pores and balances your oily face while maintaining the moisture barrier.
The Witch Hazel extract is planted through maceration and picked by hand, making the toner 100% natural. Customers can choose from seven fragrances, with unscented as an option for people who prefer the latter. Using the Thayers toner for a week will leave you with pampered, rejuvenated skin with reduced pores and a smooth texture.
Who is this for? Guys who prefer all-natural skin care products will love the Thayers Facial Toner.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Some of the scents can be very strong.
Key Ingredients: Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel extract | Skin Type: All, Normal | Size: 8.5 Fl. oz, 12 Fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Why it’s great: The Brickell Men’s Balancing Face Toner packs effective cleansing and hydrating properties behind its $25 price tag. Created with organic ingredients, it specializes in removing excess oil while unclogging and minimizing pores. The cucumber soothes redness and skin irritation, and the Witch Hazel relieves inflammation and reduces oil build-up.
The Aloe Vera extract gently treats dry skin, hydrating skin cells without excess moisture. It also prevents itchiness. You can apply this skin toner for men in the morning or use it as a refresher to perk up dull skin in midday. Think of the Brickell Men’s Balancing Face Toner as a spa day in a bottle.
Who is this for? Guys who want an effective facial toner for their oily skin can rely on this one, from one of the most trusted names in men’s grooming products.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It’s more expensive than most other skincare products. (Though it’s still pretty affordable compared to most brands.)
Key Ingredients: Witch Hazel, Cucumber, Peppermint, Aloe Vera | Skin Type: All | Size: 2 Fl. oz, 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Why it’s great: Priced at less than $10, the Neutrogena Gentle Face Toner is an affordable add-on to your daily skincare routine. The eight-ounce bottle contains a hypoallergenic formula free from fragrances, alcohol, parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. The container is also recyclable, so you can keep both your skin and the planet healthy.
The Neutrogena toner refreshes your skin without stripping its natural moisture. It also gently removes impurities without clogging your pores. You can use this to clean dirt and oil off your skin; simply damp a cotton ball after washing your face and apply the formula.
Who is this for? This works best for guys with a combination of both dry and oily skin. It’s also super affordable.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This face toner for men has a distinct smell that some people may find unpleasant.
Key Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Benzoate, Panthenol, Citric Acid | Skin Type: All | Size: 8 Fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Why it’s great: Made from nourishing herbal extracts, the Hommeface Men’s Herbal Spray Toner helps calm and revitalize the skin by removing excess moisture and delivering optimal hydration. The hyaluronic acid and collagen formula soothes the appearance of wrinkles and improves skin texture.
It also locks in moisture to reduce flaking. The Witch Hazel, Tea Tree Leaf, and CICA extracts soothe redness and tighten pores. Its all-natural blend provides a healthy skin care solution for men without the harmful effects of parabens, sulfates, and alcohol.
One of the best toners for men, the Hommeface Herbal Toner leaves you with more youthful, supple, dewy, and radiant glowing skin.
Who is this for? Great for men who prefer vegan-friendly grooming items.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It has a funky plant smell.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Witch Hazel | Skin Type: Oily, Acne Prone Skin, Combination, Dry, Normal | Size: 8.45 Fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Why it’s great: Perfect as a refresher, the American Crew After Shave Toner for Men soothes and softens the skin after a good shave. It moisturizes irritated areas and closes pores, providing freshness, comfort, and relief. It’s also fragrance-free so you won’t have to deal with lingering scents after your grooming sessions.
The compact bottle makes this skin toner for men easy to carry around. Apply the American Crew toner as a shaving oil and it lubricates your skin enough for your razor to glide on. The oil is easy to wash off and won’t clog your shavers.
Who is this for? A good option for men who regularly shave their beards.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The oil spreads a bit messy, so it’s best used sparingly.
Key Ingredients: Water, Alcohol Denat, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Menthol, Propylene Glycol, Farnesol, Bacillus Ferment, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Citronellol | Skin Type: All | Size: 5.1 Fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Why it’s great: The CeraVe Hydrating Toner gently removes impurities after cleansing your face. The hyaluronic acid and niacinamide blend helps soften and soothe dry skin while locking the moisture in. Its alcohol-free and non-astringent formula leaves you with healthy, soft, and smooth skin while keeping you free from allergic reactions and irritation.
The formula won’t clog your pores because of its non-comedogenic blend. What separates the CeraVe toner from other brands is its ability to maintain the skin’s natural barrier through ceramides. This toner keeps you looking fresh and acne-free while removing leftover dirt or grime that your usual cleanser leaves behind.
Who is this for? An excellent choice for gentlemen with sensitive skin. I used CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream for years, so I trust this brand for all of my sensitive skin needs.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: There’s a chance that it might leave a sticky residue if applied generously.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, Ceramides | Skin Type: Sensitive, Dry, Normal | Size: 6.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Buying Considerations for the Best Toners for Men
Size
Each toner comes in different bottles. Some are sold in 12-ounce bottles; others come in compact packages. The size of the toner depends on how frequently you’ll use it.
If you have a daily skincare routine, then you should go for options in larger containers. A small five-ounce toner fits guys who travel a lot, especially if you need a quick fix on the go—just make sure you use some of it, as the TSA limit is 3.4 ounces.
Ingredients
A good skin toner for men shouldn’t contain alcohol and other skin-irritating ingredients. Men with sensitive skin can place their confidence in vegan-friendly, organic products. Acne-prone guys can go for a specialized formula containing hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides to help treat impurities better while improving their skin’s health.
Skin Type
Your skin type matters when choosing the right toner for men. Some are created for oily, dry, combination, and normal skin. Check the product’s description to see who it works for best. It might be tempting to get the most versatile one, but the best results often come from targeted solutions.
How We Chose
Finding the right skin care product for guys involves targeting specific needs rather than prioritizing brands that claim to work for everyone. Some toners work well for certain skin types and it varies per person.
I read through customer reviews and product descriptions to find the best toners for men that would best fit certain individuals based on the following criteria:
Purpose: How the toners affect your skin and clear you of impurities both play an important factor in making this list. I looked for products that could cater to certain skin types and fit certain needs.
Customer Reviews: Customer reviews are effective indicators of a good product when making these selections. The details they tell, and their hands-on experience are valuable tools that can weed out the mediocre from the best.
Price: Buying the most expensive isn’t a wise move, more so if the budget-friendly alternative already solves the problem. I made sure to have a reasonable compromise between quality and price when picking the best from the rest.
Why Trust Us?
Joe Niehaus is an experienced product reviewer, tester, and researcher. He’s written pieces for The Adult Man and Travel + Leisure with exceptional knowledge in providing men’s lifestyle tips, from clothing to skin care.
He’s written articles from providing tips about body washes to rounding up the best face masks for guys. His strong familiarity with the topic gives him considerable authority to determine what men truly need to maintain skin health.
Joe’s approach to finding the best toners for men includes meticulous online research, analyzing the materials used, and working with experts to figure out the proper solutions as opposed to marketing fluff. His process gives readers valuable first-hand experience that allows them to make informed decisions that benefit them in the long run.
Final Verdict
The best toners for men are free from alcohol, parabens, and other harmful ingredients. They should effectively cleanse the skin, completely removing dirt and impurities off.
The THAYERS Alcohol-Free, Hydrating Hazel Facial Toner revitalizes your face and balances its pH levels without the risk of irritation. Its 122,197 positive reviews on Amazon is a testament that this face toner for men works like a charm with all the benefits and no risk.
FAQ
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Guys should use toner to maintain their skin’s overall health. The best skin toner for men can unclog pores and minimize them, leading to a softer, more youthful appearance. Some even have protective and hydrating features.
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Applying a toner after shaving helps restore your skin’s natural pH balance while also reducing inflammation. The best face toner for men prevents ingrown hairs and tightens your pores, too. It’s best to use organic, mild toners to avoid unwanted skin irritation.
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Using toners daily can effectively rejuvenate and protect your skin. Use them after cleansing to get rid of leftover dirt and keep the natural moisture barrier locked in. You can use them as refreshers, too so you’ll always sport healthy, vibrant skin.
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Joe Niehaus is a freelance writer here at FashionBeans. His work can be found at Travel + Leisure, Men’s Health, Business Insider, and more. He loves traveling, a good meal from a local restaurant, and a quality white t-shirt.